Cartridge for 78 only system

mashaffer · 9th August 2008, 03:56 PM

I have a 50s ish vintage RCA console that is stereo for records and mono for radio. I am planning on converting it to mono only system for playing 78s mostly. I will be changing the SE EL84 PA to PP and installing my Thorens 124 instead of the included changer. I will also be upgrading the speakers in the process.

Now the question of cartridge and pre-amplification comes into play. The control/preamp/tuner is of course designed for the cheap ceramic cartridge that came with it. If I use a MM cartridge with mono 78 stylus I would have to add a preamp. This is of course an expensive and time consuming approach but may be worth it.

Another option would be to use a ceramic cartridge and modify the existing circuitry only in converting it to mono. The thing is that I have heard that ceramic cartridges are hard on the records. Would this be true of the older 78s as well? Are there ceramic cartridges available that would not pose this problem?

In any case I would prefer using a mono cartridge so using the one in the unit now is not particularly exciting to me.

Input appreciated.

mashaffer · 9th August 2008, 05:06 PM

Oh, as a P.S. are there any true mono cartridge options that don't cost an arm and a leg? $250+ (Denon) is a lot to pay for a cartridge to play 78s.

leadbelly · 9th August 2008, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mashaffer
Oh, as a P.S. are there any true mono cartridge options that don't cost an arm and a leg? $250+ (Denon) is a lot to pay for a cartridge to play 78s.

Shure M78

mashaffer · 9th August 2008, 07:26 PM

Yes was thinking about that one even though it is not a true mono and trying the trick of wiring the outputs in series to cancel the vertical signal.

EC8010 · 10th August 2008, 12:24 AM

How about a Decca? They're true mono (only fake stereo). Connect to the sum coil and ignore the difference coils.

mashaffer · 10th August 2008, 10:14 PM

EC, can you provide a link? The only Decca carts I can find are stereo and four figures in price.

EC8010 · 11th August 2008, 06:42 PM

I was going by memory - I used to have Deccas.

sreten · 11th August 2008, 06:50 PM

Hi,

A TD124 for 78's only ? Any idea how much they are worth ?

The classic Ceramic in the UK was the Sonotone 9TAHC.
70mV, 2g to 4g flipover, 78 available.

Do not know about the States.

/sreten.

mashaffer · 11th August 2008, 11:38 PM

Thanks for the info Sreten.

Quote:

Any idea how much they are worth ?

No I don't. It was my Dad's and I have no intention of selling so never looked it up. The tone arm is a rather massive one with no anti-skate that doesn't work all that well with modern cartridges. I used it for quite a while as my main table but I now have a modern table (consumer grade) with a much lighter arm for the LPs.

Some day I may have the money for a second tonearm for the Thorens but that will have to wait.

burbeck · 12th August 2008, 11:11 AM

hi Mike,
rega do a 78 mono, http://www.rega.co.uk/index2.htm

9th August 2008, 03:56 PM	#1
mashaffer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Indiana	Cartridge for 78 only system I have a 50s ish vintage RCA console that is stereo for records and mono for radio. I am planning on converting it to mono only system for playing 78s mostly. I will be changing the SE EL84 PA to PP and installing my Thorens 124 instead of the included changer. I will also be upgrading the speakers in the process. Now the question of cartridge and pre-amplification comes into play. The control/preamp/tuner is of course designed for the cheap ceramic cartridge that came with it. If I use a MM cartridge with mono 78 stylus I would have to add a preamp. This is of course an expensive and time consuming approach but may be worth it. Another option would be to use a ceramic cartridge and modify the existing circuitry only in converting it to mono. The thing is that I have heard that ceramic cartridges are hard on the records. Would this be true of the older 78s as well? Are there ceramic cartridges available that would not pose this problem? In any case I would prefer using a mono cartridge so using the one in the unit now is not particularly exciting to me. Input appreciated. __________________ mike - www.keepingsundayspecial.org

9th August 2008, 05:06 PM	#2
mashaffer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Indiana	Oh, as a P.S. are there any true mono cartridge options that don't cost an arm and a leg? $250+ (Denon) is a lot to pay for a cartridge to play 78s. __________________ mike - www.keepingsundayspecial.org

9th August 2008, 07:26 PM	#4
mashaffer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Indiana	Yes was thinking about that one even though it is not a true mono and trying the trick of wiring the outputs in series to cancel the vertical signal. __________________ mike - www.keepingsundayspecial.org

10th August 2008, 12:24 AM	#5
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	How about a Decca? They're true mono (only fake stereo). Connect to the sum coil and ignore the difference coils. __________________ The loudspeaker: The only commercial Hi-Fi item where a disproportionate part of the budget isn't spent on the box. And the one where it would make a difference...

10th August 2008, 10:14 PM	#6
mashaffer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Indiana	EC, can you provide a link? The only Decca carts I can find are stereo and four figures in price. __________________ mike - www.keepingsundayspecial.org


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11th August 2008, 06:42 PM	#7
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	I was going by memory - I used to have Deccas. __________________ The loudspeaker: The only commercial Hi-Fi item where a disproportionate part of the budget isn't spent on the box. And the one where it would make a difference...

11th August 2008, 06:50 PM	#8
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	Hi, A TD124 for 78's only ? Any idea how much they are worth ? The classic Ceramic in the UK was the Sonotone 9TAHC. 70mV, 2g to 4g flipover, 78 available. Do not know about the States. /sreten.

12th August 2008, 11:11 AM	#10
burbeck diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ratae Coritanorum	hi Mike, rega do a 78 mono, http://www.rega.co.uk/index2.htm __________________ regards bob

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